Best Lean Startup Co Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 221 | Devon Campbell, Christine Johnson, and Dan Tipaldo with Prodct | The AI Co-Pilot: Boosting Lean Startups 58:39

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3d ago58:39

58:39

In this episode, Duane Mancini interviews Devon Campbell, Christie Johnson, and Dan Tipaldo to continue the theme from episodes 207, 208, and 209 about how startups can effectively 'do it yourself' when budgets are tight, this episode tackles the next frontier: Artificial Intelligence. We acknowledge that resource-strapped startups need to be resou…

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Inside Lean Startup: What Actually Works in Big Companies - Ben Hefele @Lean Startup Co. 44:23

1M ago44:23

44:23

In this conversation, Ben Haefle, CEO of Lean Startup Co., discusses the realities of corporate innovation, emphasizing the importance of core innovation over disruptive innovation. He explains the Lean Startup methodology, focusing on strategic alignment, milestones, team roles, governance, and culture. The discussion also touches on the concept o…

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How to Lead in the Wild West of AI with Philip Chew 40:30

7d ago40:30

40:30

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Philip Chew, a veteran technologist with experience building platforms at financial companies since the 1990s. Together, they explore Philip's unique approach to leading AI transformation in large corporations, including his portfolio management methodology, the importance of brea…

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The pitch that changed air travel forever: $3B in preorders, Richard Branson’s backing, and the return of supersonic flight | Blake Scholl (Boom Supersonic) 1:26:59

14d ago1:26:59

1:26:59

What does it take to challenge a century-old status quo in aviation? In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, a company on a mission to bring back supersonic air travel—sustainably and affordably. Blake doesn’t come from aerospace. He’s a computer scientist and former Amazon engineer w…

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Best practices for Corporate AI transformation with Adam Newton 46:30

21d ago46:30

46:30

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Adam Newton, AI transformation leader with experience at EON, Danone, and Amazon. Together, they explore the critical difference between problem-focused and technology-focused AI initiatives, the importance of strategic speed over operational speed, and practical frameworks for se…

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Episode 220 | Joao Rezende-Neto, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at InventoRR MD | Bridging Worlds of Medicine: Innovation Across Continents 52:08

1M ago52:08

52:08

In this episode, Duane Mancini interviews Joao Rezende-Neto on his remarkable journey through the global landscape of medicine and innovation. From medical training in Brazil to a trauma fellowship in the US, exposure to Boston's cutting-edge medical advancements, and experiences in Canada, this episode explores the unique insights gained from navi…

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The Hidden Costs of Pay Inequality, And How Leading Companies are Solving It | Maria Colacurcio (Syndio) 1:13:57

1M ago1:13:57

1:13:57

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Maria Colacurcio, Co-Founder and CEO of Syndio, a workplace equity analytics platform. Syndio helps companies close pay gaps and build high-trust organizations. Maria has had a long career in leadership, previously co-founding Smartsheet and serving as a senior leader at Starbucks, where she focu…

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Episode 219 | Kelly Collier, Director of Ecosystem Development at LifeX | Steel City Science: Building Pittsburgh's Life Science Ecosystem 43:29

1M ago43:29

43:29

In this episode, Duane Mancini interviews Kelly Collier at LifeX on the dynamic life science startup ecosystem thriving in Pittsburgh. We explore the unique synergy between major academic institutions like the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, and healthcare giants such as UPMC and Allegheny Health Network. Discover Kelly's e…

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Avoid "Burning Star Syndrome" using Smart AI Investment Strategies with Kunal Sawarkar 39:04

1M ago39:04

39:04

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Kunal Sawarkar, Chief Data Scientist and Distinguished Engineer at IBM. Together, they discuss practical strategies for embedding AI into products successfully, including Kunal's "burning star syndrome" approach to AI investment, the importance of customer-focused problem solving,…

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Lessons on co-founding Twitter, Medium and Blogger with Ev Williams 1:22:17

2M ago1:22:17

1:22:17

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Ev Williams—someone whose work has profoundly shaped the modern internet. Ev co-founded Twitter, created Medium, and before all that, built Blogger, the original blogging platform (and the one where my own blog, Startup Lessons Learned, still lives today). We cover a wide range of topics, but a…

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Episode 218 | Niki Caporali Spaniel and Chad Gibson at CMD Medtech | Navigating Medtech Regulations: Post Market Clinical Follow-up to Cybersecurity 38:41

2M ago38:41

38:41

In this episode, Duane Mancini explores the critical aspects of medtech regulation and product development with Niki Caporali Spaniel and Chad Gibson of CMD Medtech. Niki shares her expertise in post-market clinical follow-up and navigating the complexities of the Medical Device Regulation (MDR). Chad emphasizes the importance of integrating cybers…

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The playbook for building a business to $1M/month with 3 employees, hiring great leaders, and rejecting Silicon Valley’s rules | Jess Mah (Rahway) 1:24:29

2M ago1:24:29

1:24:29

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I'm joined by Jess Mah, an extraordinary entrepreneur who launched her first six-figure business in middle school and went on to co-found more than 10 companies collectively valued at over $1 billion. Jess rose to public acclaim and earned a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 while privately facing the reality that h…

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How to Get Senior Leadership Buy-In and Alignment with Supreet Kaur 39:10

2M ago39:10

39:10

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Supreet Kaur, AI professional at Microsoft. Together, they discuss strategic approaches for securing leadership buy-in for AI initiatives, the importance of aligning AI with business problems, and how to effectively communicate AI progress to maintain momentum and support from exe…

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How GRAMMY Winners Are Really Chosen - Panos A. Panay @The Recording Academy 41:01

2M ago41:01

41:01

The truth behind the Grammy Awards 🏆 What does it really take to win? How are nominees selected, and what role does AI play in music today? Panos A. Panay, President of the Recording Academy, reveals everything - from the intense behind-the-scenes orchestration of music’s biggest night to how technology and creativity intersect. Get insider access …

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Episode 217 | Christin Godale, Executive Director at LifeSciKY and Nicholas Lyktey, Chief of Laboratory Operations at Gravity Diagnostics | The Growing Kentucky Life Science Ecosystem 50:16

2M ago50:16

50:16

In this episode, Duane Mancini delves into the life science ecosystem in Kentucky with Christin Godale, Executive Director at LifeSciKY, and Nicholas Lyktey, Chief of Laboratory Operations at Gravity Diagnostics. Christin discusses the collaborative, bipartisan efforts driving innovation in the Commonwealth, including the launch of strategic initia…

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Episode 216 | Matt Sokany, Former CEO at Standard Bariatrics | The High-Multiple Medtech Playbook: Matt Sokany's Exit Success 54:44

2M ago54:44

54:44

In this episode, Matt Sokany joins Duane Mancini at Project Medtech to share his extensive experience in the medtech industry, from his time at Ethicon Endosurgery (Johnson & Johnson) to his impactful journey in the startup world. Matt details his strategic approach to building successful companies, including his remarkable exit with New Wave Surgi…

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The Hired CEO with Founder Mode | Marten Mickos (MySQL, HackerOne) 1:32:37

2M ago1:32:37

1:32:37

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Marten Mickos, a serial tech CEO who has been at the forefront of some of the most transformative moments in open-source technology. From leading MySQL through its groundbreaking journey to guiding HackerOne as a pioneering bug bounty platform, Marten's career is a masterclass in building innov…

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Cultivating AI Use Cases to Move Beyond 'Magical Thinking' with Chris Reitz 34:09

2M ago34:09

34:09

In the first episode in Season 2 of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Chris Reitz, a seasoned product management professional and AI educator. Together, they discuss the importance of cultivating AI use cases through problem-focused approaches, avoiding "magical thinking" in AI initiatives, and making strategic small bets rather tha…

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Episode 215 | Tim Grace, Managing Partner at Techstars in Columbus, OH | Techstars Columbus: Building the Next Generation of Startups 47:19

2M ago47:19

47:19

In this episode, Tim Grace, Managing Partner at Techstars Columbus, joins Duane Mancini to unpack the dynamic world of startup acceleration and venture funding. Tim shares his journey from a tech background to leading a pivotal Techstars program, and discusses the creation of the LongJump venture fund. We delve into the origins and growth of Techst…

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How To Raise $125M Pre-Revenue and Why Harder Can Be Easier | Celine Halioua (Loyal) 1:40:25

3M ago1:40:25

1:40:25

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I'm joined by Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, a groundbreaking biotech startup developing drugs to extend dogs' healthspan and lifespan. Celine's journey combines her passion for animals with a bold scientific mission that looks beyond pets to potentially transform human longevity as well. Our conver…

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Episode 214 | Antony Watson, COO at Xenocor | From Medtronic to the Mountains: A Medtech Founder's Journey in Salt Lake City, Utah 42:10

3M ago42:10

42:10

In this episode, Antony Watson, COO of Xenocor, joins Duane Mancini to share his journey from Medtronic sales rep to startup founder. Antony discusses his experience in the operating room, observing surgical cases firsthand, and how this unique perspective shaped his leadership approach and ultimately prepared him to launch and lead Xenocor. Discov…

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Inside UiPath’s $1.5B ARR Journey – Bootstrapping the company, hiring challenges, and the billion-dollar pivot (Daniel Dines) 1:35:37

3M ago1:35:37

1:35:37

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Daniel Dines, the Founder and CEO of UiPath, a company that started in robotic process automation (RPA) and is now making a bold shift into agentic AI. Dubbed “the boss of bots” by Forbes, Daniel has led UiPath from its humble beginnings to a $6.65 billion company that’s reshaping the future of…

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Episode 213 | Yaky Yanay, CEO and President at Pluri | The Power of Cells and the Resilience of Entrepreneurship 36:51

3M ago36:51

36:51

In this episode, Yaky Yanay, CEO at Pluri, joins Duane Mancini to explore the captivating world of regenerative medicine and the unwavering resilience required to lead in the life sciences. We delve into the profound power of cells and how Yaky's deep scientific understanding fuels Pluri's entrepreneurial success. Yaky shares invaluable insights on…

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Episode 212 | Tino Chow, Founder and CEO at Giant Shoulders | Building a Brand that Lasts: Strategies for Every Phase 43:02

3M ago43:02

43:02

In this episode, Tino Chow, CEO and Founder of Giant Shoulders, joins Duane Mancini for a deep dive into the power of branding in the medtech industry. 1 Tino, a "three-headed monster" with experience in the military, industrial design, and business, shares his expertise on building a brand strategy that empowers "on-brand" decisions, even in the a…

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From Bootstrapping to $400 Million – The Hustle Behind Hipcamp with Alyssa Ravasio 1:28:47

3M ago1:28:47

1:28:47

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Alyssa Ravasio, CEO and Founder of Hipcamp. Hipcamp is the platform that has revolutionized camping, with a mission to “get more people outside.” By making it easier for people to find camping on public lands—and then expanding to include private lands—Hipcamp significantly increased the supply o…

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Episode 211 | Jana Montgomery, Founder & CEO at ActiVie | Data-Driven Healthcare: The Power of Clinical Evidence 41:48

3M ago41:48

41:48

⁠Jana Montgomery LinkedIn ActiVie LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Duane Mancini LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Project Medtech LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Project Medtech Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Midwest Showcase Registration⁠

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MBA thinking killed my startup, lessons on losing 98% of users, and being fired as a co-founder | Gagan Biyani (Udemy and Maven) 1:32:56

3M ago1:32:56

1:32:56

In today’s episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Gagan Biyani, Co-Founder and CEO of Maven, a platform that’s redefining online education with cohort-based courses. Before Maven, Gagan co-founded Udemy, now one of the largest online education marketplaces, and Sprig, a meal delivery startup. Gagan started his entrepreneurial journey at just …

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Episode 210 | Susan Xu, Principal at WyDus | Get Paid for Your Digital Health Innovation: Mastering the Reimbursement Landscape 39:18

4M ago39:18

39:18

In this episode, Susan Xu, Principal at WyDus, joins Duane Mancini to unravel the complexities of reimbursement in the digital health landscape. Susan explains how Medtech startups can navigate the system to get paid for their innovations, covering everything from Health IT and wearables to telehealth and AI. Learn about the crucial role of diagnos…

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Lessons on creating a $17 billion learning company, going viral with an owl, and ditching short-term thinking with Luis von Ahn (Duolingo) 1:29:04

4M ago1:29:04

1:29:04

In today’s episode ofThe Eric Ries Show, I am joined by Luis von Ahn, CEO and co-founder of Duolingo. With Duolingo, his mission was simple: make language learning accessible to everyone—not to build a for-profit company. Fast forward to today, and Duolingo has grown into a $17 billion business with a reported 90% of the online daily active users i…

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Episode 209 | Devon Campbell, Founder, Managing Director at Prodct and Tino Chow, Founder and CEO at Giant Shoulders | Creating a Powerful Medtech Brand Without Breaking the Bank 54:01

4M ago54:01

54:01

In this episode, Devon Campbell, Founder and Managing Director at Prodct, and Tino Chow, Founder, and CEO at Giant Shoulders, join Duane Mancini to discuss building a strong Medtech brand without big budgets. Learn how to develop a compelling brand strategy, create a professional website on a shoestring budget, design impactful pitch decks, and max…

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He turned down $11 billion, here’s why | Craig Newmark (Craigslist Founder) 1:10:34

4M ago1:10:34

1:10:34

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist—one of the internet’s most influential platforms. Despite its massive impact, Craigslist has remained intentionally minimalist, resisting the hyper-monetization strategies common in tech. Craig attributes his success to being in the right place at the ri…

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Episode 208 | Devon Campbell, Founder, Managing Director at Prodct and Eric O'Dell, Consultant at Project Medtech | Bootstrapping Your Medtech Startup: Essential Finances for Founders 49:51

4M ago49:51

49:51

In this episode, Devon Campbell, Founder and Managing Director at Prodct, and Eric O'Dell, Consultant at Project Medtech, join Duane Mancini in a must-listen for bootstrapped Medtech founders! This episode provides a DIY guide to managing your startup's finances without hiring expensive professionals. Learn how to set up bank accounts, choose the r…

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Redefining Education in the Age of AI with Amir Nathoo (Outschool) 1:24:10

4M ago1:24:10

1:24:10

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Amir Nathoo, Co-Founder and CEO of Outschool, an education platform offering live online classes for K-12 learners. Amir’s own childhood inspired Outschool—while he went to traditional schools, his parents always encouraged his self-driven coding projects at home. Outschool is about empowering ki…

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Episode 207 | Devon Campbell, Founder, Managing Director at Prodct and Tom Morgan, Chief Scientific Officer at myBiometry | From Benchtop to Business: Building a Foundation for Medtech Success 49:53

4M ago49:53

49:53

In this episode, Devon Campbell, Founder and Managing Director at Prodct, and Tom Morgan, Chief Scientific Officer at myBiometry, join Duane Mancini for a practical discussion on optimizing early development for Medtech startups. Devon and Tom highlight the crucial role of organization, process, and software in driving efficiency and success, even …

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Lessons on building a unicorn used by 84% of the Fortune 100 | Emil Eifrem (Neo4j) 1:24:44

4M ago1:24:44

1:24:44

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Emil Eifrem, Co-Founder and CEO of Neo4j, an open-source graph database. Neo4j enables organizations to unlock the business value of connections, influences, and relationships in data. In our conversation today, we talk about the following topics: • The origin story of Neo4j and why they chose op…

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Episode 206 | Simon Malpas, Chief Executive Officer at Kitea Health | From Brain Pressure Implants to FDA Approval: Navigating the PMA Process for Medtech Startups 37:18

4M ago37:18

37:18

In this episode, Simon Malpas, CEO of Kitea Health, joins Duane Mancini to share his incredible journey from blood pressure researcher to Medtech CEO. Simon details Kitea Health's innovative brain pressure implant, revealing the challenges and triumphs of navigating clinical trials and the FDA's PMA process as a startup. Hear firsthand accounts of …

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Innovation at the Crossroads: Strategic Choices in Disruption - Scott Brinker @Hubspot 38:13

5M ago38:13

38:13

"Why are we trying to fight all of this?" The pace of technological advancement outstrips our ability to adapt, a phenomenon captured by MarTec's Law. In this episode, Dr. Chris Mühlroth and Scott Brinker, VP of Platform Ecosystem at HubSpot delve into the complexities of technological advancement and its implications for organizations. They discus…

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Episode 205 | Kirk Petyo, Managing Partner at Talent Factory Recruiting | Attracting Talent to Your Medtech Startup 42:09

5M ago42:09

42:09

In this episode, Kirk Petyo at Talent Factory Recruiting and Duane Mancini discusses his background in recruiting, how startups attract talent, the biggest mistakes companies make in hiring, managing company culture, implementing a successful onboarding process, and so much more. Kirk Petyo LinkedIn Talent Factory Recruiting LinkedIn Talent Factory…

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How She Built a Marketplace for a Million Nurses | Iman Abuzeid (Incredible Health) 1:27:22

5M ago1:27:22

1:27:22

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Iman Abuzeid, the co-founder and CEO of Incredible Health, a platform transforming how healthcare systems hire nurses. After earning an MD, Iman pivoted to business and technology. She spent some time working in New York before enrolling at The Wharton School, where she earned her MBA. After grad…

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Episode 204 | Shalabh Gupta, Founder, Chairman and CEO at Unicycive Therapeutics | Starting with Why: Physician to Entrepreneur 43:32

5M ago43:32

43:32

In this episode, Shalabh Gupta at Unicycive Therapeutics and Duane Mancini discuss going from a practicing physician to a biotech entrepreneur, why he made the switch, lessons learned in his career, how to think about your career long term and not short term, how he took his company public, measuring success, his best advice and so much more. Shala…

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Hard-Won Secrets for Scaling Innovations in Finance, Gaming, and AI with Siqi Chen (Runway, Zynga) 1:35:31

6M ago1:35:31

1:35:31

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Siqi Chen, a four-time founder and the CEO and CFO of his latest venture, Runway. Runway offers a modern, user-friendly platform for financial modeling, headcount planning, and departmental budgeting—proudly branding itself as “the finance platform your team doesn’t hate.” With its distinctive ma…

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The Future of Innovation: AI & Lean Startup with Eric Ries 53:17

6M ago53:17

53:17

In the dynamic season #1 finale of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Eric Ries—bestselling author of The Lean Startup and The Startup Way, and creator of the transformative Lean Startup methodology. Known for redefining how companies innovate, Eric shares actionable strategies to develop AI-powered solutions that drive real impact. …

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Episode 203 | Eric Eskey, Managing Partner at Dark Horse Works | Figuring Out What Customers Want? 46:50

6M ago46:50

46:50

In this episode, Eric Eskey at Dark Horse Works and Duane Mancini discuss his background as an engineer, understanding what your customer wants, recommended books about innovation, behavioral economics, early adopters vs. laggers, common mistakes, his best advice to entrepreneurs, and so much more. Eric Eskey LinkedIn Dark Horse Works LinkedIn Dark…

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Biotech, Blockchain, and Building Companies with Russ Peloquin, Managing Partner of LifeSci Catalyst Partners 34:28

6M ago34:28

34:28

This week I had a great conversation with Russ Peloquin, Managing Partner of LifeSci Catalyst Partners. We dive into Russ's unique journey from aspiring exterminator (yes, you read that right!) to leading life science entrepreneur, discussing his extensive experience in commercialization, mergers, and acquisitions. Russ shares invaluable insights o…

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The Future of Aging: Are We Ready for This? - Dr. Aubrey de Grey @LEV Foundation 54:45

6M ago54:45

54:45

Join renowned aging researcher Dr. Aubrey de Grey in an enlightening conversation about the science and societal impact of anti-aging technologies. Explore the concept of aging as a medical problem, the interplay of genetics and lifestyle, and groundbreaking research at the LEV Foundation aimed at reversing the effects of aging. Discover how biolog…

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Inside iRobot: How the Roomba Sparked a Revolution in AI Robotics with Rodney Brooks 1:25:20

6M ago1:25:20

1:25:20

Rodney Brooks has spent his entire life at the intersection of robotics, computers, and AI. When the Roomba vacuum cleaner launched in 2002, his company, iRobot, brought all three into millions of people’s homes. iRobot had already succeeded with robots for space exploration, mine detection, search missions, and military applications. However, afte…

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Data Is The New Oil with Mike Hollinger 39:21

6M ago39:21

39:21

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Mike Hollinger, Distinguished Engineer at IBM and President of the Austin AI Alliance. Together, they explore the critical importance of understanding user intent, leveraging organizational data effectively, and avoiding common pitfalls in AI implementation. Website: ibm.com/desig…

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Episode 202 | Staci Miller, Founder at Gen UX Consulting | Fashion Designer to Human Factors Consulting in Medtech 47:15

6M ago47:15

47:15

In this episode, Staci Miller at Gen UX Consulting and Duane Mancini discusses her background as a fashion designer, cognitive psychology, how she got into human factors testing, what she learned from her time with Medtronic and Abbott, and so much more. Staci Miller LinkedIn Gen UX Consulting LinkedIn Gen UX Consulting Website Duane Mancini Linked…

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Top Episode of 2024: Leveraging AI for Transformative Results with Chris Withers 34:47

6M ago34:47

34:47

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Chris Withers, a seasoned leader known for his transformative roles in data and AI at BT Group, EY, and IBM. Together, they discuss deploying AI tools to enhance productivity and spearhead initiatives, the challenges of collecting "ground truth" data, and the value of testing assu…

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Episode 201 | Emma Scharfenberger Off, CEO and President at CincyTech | The Importance of a Board and How to Utilize It 47:21

6M ago47:21

47:21

In this episode, Emma Scharfenberger Off at CincyTech and Duane Mancini discuss her background as an M&A lawyer, who is CincyTech and what they are focused on, how to leverage your board, decision-making within startup companies, bridge rounds, how to create value and so much more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Emma Scharfenberger Off LinkedIn⁠ ⁠CincyTech LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Cincy…